Hearing aid with a flexible carrier antenna and related method

ABSTRACT

A hearing aid having an electrical assembly, the electrical assembly includes a printed circuit board having a first board surface and a second board surface, the printed circuit board having a first pad in a first pad region on the first board surface, the first pad region having a first board normal; a flexible printed circuit board comprising an antenna, the antenna having a first terminal in a first terminal region on a first flexfilm surface of the flexible printed circuit board, the first terminal region having a first terminal normal; and first electrically conductive material connecting the first pad and the first terminal, and wherein the first terminal normal and the first board normal forms a first angle that is anywhere from 30° to 150°.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/962,543 filed on Dec. 8, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,277,996, whichclaims priority to, and the benefit of, Danish Patent Application No. PA2015 70782 filed Dec. 1, 2015, and European Patent Application No.15197184.3 filed Dec. 1, 2015. The entire disclosures of both of theabove applications are expressly incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a hearing aid with an antenna, and inparticular to a hearing aid with an antenna formed on a flexiblecarrier. Further, the present disclosure relates to a method formanufacturing an electrical assembly for a hearing aid

BACKGROUND

The developments within wireless technologies for hearing devices andthe continuous efforts to make hearing devices smaller and more costeffective to manufacture has led to the use of flexible carriersincorporating one or more antennas in hearing devices.

SUMMARY

There is a desire for reducing the size of the electrical assembly of ahearing device.

Disclosed herein is a hearing aid comprising an electrical assembly. Theelectrical assembly comprises a printed circuit board having a firstboard surface and a second board surface, the printed circuit boardhaving a first pad in a first pad region on the first board surface, thefirst pad region having a first board normal. The electrical assemblycomprises a flexible printed circuit board comprising an antenna, e.g.denoted first antenna, having a first terminal in a first terminalregion on a first flexfilm surface of the flexible printed circuitboard, the first terminal region having a first terminal normal. Theelectrical assembly comprises first electrically conductive materialconnecting the first pad and the first terminal, and the first terminalnormal and the first board normal forms a first angle in the range from30° to 150°.

Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing an electrical assembly fora hearing aid. The electrical assembly comprises a printed circuit boardand a flexible printed circuit board, the printed circuit board having afirst board surface and a second board surface, the printed circuitboard having a first pad in a first pad region on the first boardsurface, the first pad region having a first board normal. The flexibleprinted circuit board has a first flexfilm surface and a second flexfilmsurface, the flexible printed circuit board comprising an antenna, e.g.denoted first antenna, having a first terminal in a first terminalregion on the first flexfilm surface, the first terminal region having afirst terminal normal. The method comprises arranging the printedcircuit board and the flexible printed circuit board such that the firstterminal normal and the first board normal form a first angle in therange from 30° to 150°; and connecting the first pad and the firstterminal with a first electrically conductive material.

The hearing aid and method as disclosed provide increased designflexibility in the design of the electrical assembly of a hearingdevice. In particular, the printed circuit board may have a simplerrouting and/or reduced size.

A hearing aid having an electrical assembly, the electrical assemblyincludes a printed circuit board having a first board surface and asecond board surface, the printed circuit board having a first pad in afirst pad region on the first board surface, the first pad region havinga first board normal; a flexible printed circuit board comprising anantenna, the antenna having a first terminal in a first terminal regionon a first flexfilm surface of the flexible printed circuit board, thefirst terminal region having a first terminal normal; and firstelectrically conductive material connecting the first pad and the firstterminal, and wherein the first terminal normal and the first boardnormal forms a first angle that is anywhere from 30° to 150°.

Optionally, the electrical assembly comprises an electrical componentmounted on the first board surface or on the second board surface.

Optionally, the first angle is anywhere from 80° to 100°.

Optionally, the printed circuit board has a first indentation in a firstedge part of the printed circuit board, the first indentationaccommodating at least a part of the first terminal.

Optionally, the printed circuit board has an edge with an edge part andwherein the first electrically conductive material connects at least apart of the first flexfilm surface to the edge part of the printedcircuit board.

Optionally, the printed circuit board comprises a second pad in a secondpad region on the first board surface or on the second board surface,the second pad region having a second board normal; wherein the flexibleprinted circuit board has a second terminal in a second terminal regionon the first flexfilm surface or on a second flexfilm surface of theflexible printed circuit board, the second terminal region having asecond terminal normal; and wherein the electrical assembly comprisessecond electrically conductive material connecting the second pad andthe second terminal, and wherein the second terminal normal and thesecond board normal forms a second angle that is anywhere from 30° to150°.

Optionally, the printed circuit board has a first indentation in a firstedge part of the printed circuit board, the first indentationaccommodating at least a part of the first terminal; and wherein theprinted circuit board has a second indentation in a second edge part ofthe printed circuit board, the second indentation accommodating at leasta part of the second terminal.

Optionally, the printed circuit board comprises a third pad in a thirdpad region on the first board surface or on the second board surface,the third pad region having a third board normal; wherein the flexibleprinted circuit board has a third terminal in a third terminal region onthe first flexfilm surface or on the second flexfilm surface, the thirdterminal region having a third terminal normal; and wherein theelectrical assembly comprises third electrically conducting materialconnecting the third pad and the third terminal, and wherein the thirdterminal normal and the third board normal forms a third angle that isanywhere from 30° to 150°.

Optionally, the printed circuit board has a third indentation in a thirdedge part of the printed circuit board, the third indentationaccommodating at least a part of the third terminal.

A method for manufacturing an electrical assembly for a hearing aid, theelectrical assembly comprising a printed circuit board and a flexibleprinted circuit board, the printed circuit board having a first boardsurface and a second board surface, the printed circuit board having afirst pad in a first pad region on the first board surface, the firstpad region having a first board normal, wherein the flexible printedcircuit board has a first flexfilm surface and a second flexfilmsurface, the flexible printed circuit board comprising an antenna, theantenna having a first terminal in a first terminal region on the firstflexfilm surface, the first terminal region having a first terminalnormal, the method includes: arranging the printed circuit board and theflexible printed circuit board such that the first terminal normal andthe first board normal form a first angle that is anywhere from 30° to150°; and connecting the first pad and the first terminal with a firstelectrically conductive material.

Other features and advantageous will be described in the detaildescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages will become readily apparentto those skilled in the art by the following detailed description ofexemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematical top view of an electrical assembly

FIG. 2 is a schematical cross-sectional view of an exemplary electricalassembly,

FIG. 3 shows a more detailed view of an electrical assembly,

FIG. 4 shows a more detailed view of an electrical assembly,

FIG. 5 is a schematical top view of an electrical assembly,

FIG. 6 is a schematical cross-sectional view of an exemplary electricalassembly,

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a hearing aid,

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary flexible printed circuit board, and

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary flexible printed circuit board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments are described hereinafter with reference to thefigures. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Likeelements will, thus, not be described in detail with respect to thedescription of each figure. It should also be noted that the figures areonly intended to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They arenot intended as an exhaustive description of the claimed invention or asa limitation on the scope of the claimed invention. In addition, anillustrated embodiment needs not have all the aspects or advantagesshown. An aspect or an advantage described in conjunction with aparticular embodiment is not necessarily limited to that embodiment andcan be practiced in any other embodiments even if not so illustrated, orif not so explicitly described. Throughout, the same reference numeralsare used for identical or corresponding parts.

The hearing aid comprises an electrical assembly. The hearing aid may bea Behind-The-Ear (BTE) hearing aid. The electrical assembly, e.g. in aBTE hearing aid is typically supported by a frame structure on which oneor more shell parts are mounted.

The electrical assembly comprises a printed circuit board having a firstboard surface and a second board surface. The second board surface maybe parallel to the first board surface. The printed circuit board hasone or more pads including a first pad in a first pad region on thefirst board surface, the first pad region having a first board normal.The one or more pads may include a second pad in a second pad region onthe first board surface and/or on the second board surface. The secondpad may be connected to a ground plane of the printed circuit board. Thesecond pad region has a second board normal. The first board normal andthe second board normal may be parallel. The first board normal and thesecond board normal may form an angle less than 45 degrees or in therange from 135 degrees to 225 degrees.

The one or more pads may include a third pad in a third pad region onthe first board surface and/or on the second board surface. The thirdpad region has a third board normal. The first board normal and thethird board normal may be parallel. The first board normal and the thirdboard normal may form an angle less than 45 degrees or in the range from135 degrees to 225 degrees.

The electrical assembly comprises a flexible printed circuit board, alsodenoted flexible carrier. The flexible printed circuit board may have athickness in the range from 5 μm to 1,000 μm. The flexible printedcircuit board may be a sheet. In an exemplary electrical assembly, theflexible printed circuit board has a thickness in the range from 12 μmto 600 μm, such as 50 μm, 100 μm, 200 μm, 300 μm, 400 μm, 500 μm or anyranges therebetween. The flexible printed circuit board has a firstflexfilm surface and a second flexfilm surface. The flexible printedcircuit board comprises one or more antennas including an antenna (firstantenna) having a first terminal in a first terminal region on the firstflexfilm surface of the flexible printed circuit board, the firstterminal region having a first terminal normal. The antenna (firstantenna) may have a second terminal in a second terminal region on thefirst flexfilm surface and/or on the second flexfilm surface of theflexible printed circuit board, the second terminal region having asecond terminal normal. The first terminal region may be at least partlyarranged in a first tab of the flexible printed circuit board. Thesecond terminal region may be at least partly arranged in a second tabof the flexible printed circuit board.

The flexible printed circuit board may comprise a second antenna havinga first terminal in a second terminal region on the first flexfilmsurface or a second flexfilm surface of the flexible printed circuitboard, the second terminal region having a second terminal normal.

The electrical assembly comprises electrically conducting materialconnecting a pad of the printed circuit board and a terminal of anantenna of the flexible printed circuit board. The electricallyconducting material may be solder material such as a solder alloy, e.g.comprising one or more of zinc, tin, silver, copper and lead.

For example, the electrical assembly may comprise first electricallyconductive material connecting the first pad and the first terminal. Thefirst terminal normal and the first board normal may form a first anglein the range from 30° to 150°. The first angle formed by the firstterminal normal and the first board normal may be in the range from 45°to 135°. In one or more exemplary electrical assemblies, the first angleformed by the first terminal normal and the first board normal may be inthe range from 80° to 100°. Thereby, the required surface area for padsis reduced, which ultimately may lead to simpler routing on the printedcircuit board and/or smaller printed circuit board.

The electrical assembly may comprise second electrically conductivematerial connecting the second pad and the second terminal. The secondterminal normal and the second board normal may form a second angle inthe range from 30° to 150°. The second angle formed by the secondterminal normal and the second board normal may be in the range from 45°to 135°. In one or more exemplary electrical assemblies, the secondangle formed by the second terminal normal and the second board normalmay be in the range from 80° to 100°. Thereby, the required surface areafor pads is reduced, which ultimately may lead to simpler routing on theprinted circuit board and/or smaller printed circuit board.

The electrical assembly may comprise one or more electrical components,such as a first electrical component and/or a second electricalcomponent. The electrical component(s) may respectively be mounted onthe first board surface or on the second board surface.

The first electrical component may be a radio transceiver connected tothe first pad, e.g. via a balun element or other (antenna) matchingelement/circuit. The radio transceiver may be configured for 2.4 GHzcommunication. The electrical assembly may comprise an antenna matchingelement, such as a balun element. The printed circuit board may comprisea first conductor to form an electrical connection between the first padand a first terminal of the first electrical component (radiotransceiver) or to form an electrical connection between the first padand an antenna matching element. The printed circuit board may comprisea second conductor to form an electrical connection between the secondpad and a second terminal of the first electrical component (radiotransceiver) or to form an electrical connection between the second padand an antenna matching element.

The electrical assembly may comprise a second electrical component, suchas a processing unit, such as a hearing aid processor.

The electrical assembly may comprise a third electrical component, suchas a microphone.

The printed circuit board has an edge and the printed circuit board mayhave one or more indentations in the edge. The printed circuit board mayhave a first indentation in a first edge part of the printed circuitboard. The first indentation may accommodate at least a part of thefirst terminal. By arranging a part of the first terminal—and thus alsoa part of the flexible printed circuit board within a first indentation,the mechanical stress on the flexible printed circuit board, e.g. fromshell parts or other hearing aid components, is reduced or avoided.

The printed circuit board may have a second indentation in a second edgepart of the printed circuit board. The second indentation mayaccommodate at least a part of the second terminal. By arranging a partof the second terminal—and thus also a part of the flexible printedcircuit board within a second indentation, the mechanical stress on theflexible printed circuit board, e.g. from shell parts or other hearingaid components, is reduced or avoided.

Arranging parts of the flexible printed circuit board withinindentation(s) of the printed circuit board may reduce the risk ofproduction errors, e.g. the risk of breaking the electrical assemblyduring hearing aid manufacture may be reduced.

An indentation, such as the first indentation and/or the secondindentation, may have a maximum depth of at least 0.5 mm, such as about1 mm. An indentation, such as the first indentation and/or the secondindentation, may have a width of at least 1.0 mm, such as in the rangefrom 2 mm to 8 mm.

The first electrically conductive material may connect at least a partof the first flexfilm surface to an edge part, e.g. a first edge part,of the printed circuit board. Connecting electrically conductivematerial to an edge part increases the strength of the mechanicalconnection between the printed circuit board and the flexible printedcircuit board.

The flexible printed circuit board may have a third terminal, e.g. offirst antenna or second antenna, in a third terminal region on the firstflexfilm surface or on the second flexfilm surface, the third terminalregion having a third terminal normal. The electrical assembly maycomprise third electrically conducting material connecting the third padand the third terminal. The third terminal normal and the third boardnormal may form a third angle in the range from 30° to 150°. A pluralityof terminals on the flexible printed board enables more complex antennatypes and/or configuration of antenna properties. The printed circuitboard may have a third indentation in a third edge part of the printedcircuit board. The third indentation may accommodate at least a part ofthe third terminal.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary electrical assembly 2 of ahearing aid. The electrical assembly 2 comprises a printed circuit board4 having an edge 6, a first board surface 8 and a second board surface(not visible on FIG. 1). The printed circuit board 4 has a first pad 12in a first pad region on the first board surface 8, the first pad regionhaving a first board normal. The electrical assembly 2 comprises a firstelectrical component 16 mounted on the first board surface 8. The firstelectrical component 16 may in another exemplary hearing aid be mountedon the second board surface. The first electrical component 16, in FIG.1 being a radio transceiver, is electrically connected to the first pad12 by a first conductor, e.g. via a balun element (not shown). Theelectrical assembly 2 comprises a second electrical component 17 in theform of a hearing aid processor configured to compensate for hearingloss of a user. The second electrical component (hearing aid processor)17 is mounted on the first board surface 8 and is connected to the firstelectrical component 16 (radio transceiver) via one or more conductors(not shown) in the printed circuit board. The electrical assembly 2optionally comprises a third electrical component 17A in the form of amicrophone or microphone assembly. The third electrical component(microphone) 17A is mounted on the first board surface 8 and isconnected to the second electrical component 17 (hearing aid processor)via one or more conductors (not shown) in the printed circuit board 4,4A.

The electrical assembly 2 comprises a flexible printed circuit board 18comprising an antenna having a first terminal in a first terminal regionon a first flexfilm surface of the flexible printed circuit board, thefirst terminal region having a first terminal normal. The electricalassembly 2 comprises first electrically conductive material 30connecting the first pad 12 and the first terminal. The first terminalnormal and the first board normal forms a first angle of 90°±5°. Theprinted circuit board 4, 4A has a first indentation 31 in a first edgepart of the printed circuit board. The first indentation 31accommodating at least a part of the first terminal arranged in a firsttab 33 of the flexible printed circuit board 18.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-section of the electrical assembly of FIG. 1taken along dotted line A. The flexible printed circuit board 18comprises an antenna 24 having a first terminal 26 in a first terminalregion on a first flexfilm surface 20 of the flexible printed circuitboard 18. The first terminal region has a first terminal normal 32. Thefirst electrically conductive material 30 connects the first pad 12 andthe first terminal 26 such that the first terminal normal 32 and thefirst board normal 14 forms a first angle α1 of 90°±5°.

FIG. 3 shows a more detailed view of the electrical assembly 2 in FIG.2. The first pad 12 extends on the first board surface 8. The printedcircuit board 4 comprises a first conductor 34 connecting the first pad12 and a pad connectable to a first terminal of an electrical component,e.g. first electrical component 16, mounted on the printed circuit board4.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary schematic cross-sectional view of anelectrical assembly 2A. The first pad 12 extends on the first boardsurface 8 and on the edge 6 of the printed circuit board. A first padextending on the edge may reduce the required first pad area on thefirst board surface 8, in turn further enabling reduced size of theprinted circuit board 4A. The printed circuit board 4A comprises a firstconductor 34 connecting the first pad 12 and a pad connectable to afirst terminal of an electrical component, e.g. first electricalcomponent 16, mounted on the printed circuit board 4.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an exemplary electrical assembly 102 of ahearing aid. The electrical assembly 102 comprises a printed circuitboard 4B having an edge 6, a first board surface 8 and a second boardsurface (not visible on FIG. 5). The printed circuit board 4B has afirst pad 12 in a first pad region on the first board surface 8, thefirst pad region having a first board normal. The electrical assembly102 comprises a first electrical component 16 mounted on the first boardsurface 8. The first electrical component 16 may in another exemplaryhearing aid be mounted on the second board surface. The first electricalcomponent 16, in FIG. 5 being a radio transceiver, is electricallyconnected to the first pad 12 by a first conductor, e.g. via a balunelement (not shown). The electrical assembly 102 comprises a secondelectrical component 17 in the form of a hearing aid processorconfigured to compensate for hearing loss of a user. The secondelectrical component (hearing aid processor) 17 is mounted on the firstboard surface 8 and is connected to the first electrical component 16(radio transceiver) via one or more conductors (not shown) in theprinted circuit board 4B. The electrical assembly 102 optionallycomprises a third electrical component 17A in the form of a microphoneor microphone assembly. The third electrical component (microphone) 17Ais mounted on the first board surface 8 and is connected to the secondelectrical component 17 (hearing aid processor) via one or moreconductors (not shown) in the printed circuit board 4B.

The electrical assembly 102 comprises a flexible printed circuit board18 comprising an antenna having a first terminal in a first terminalregion on a first flexfilm surface of the flexible printed circuitboard, the first terminal region having a first terminal normal.Further, the antenna has a second terminal in a second terminal regionon the first flexfilm surface of the flexible printed circuit board, thesecond terminal region having a second terminal normal. The electricalassembly 102 comprises first electrically conductive material 30connecting the first pad 12 and the first terminal. The first terminalnormal and the first board normal forms a first angle of 90°±5°. Theprinted circuit board 102 has a first indentation 31 in a first edgepart of the printed circuit board 4B. The first indentation 31accommodates at least a part of the first terminal arranged in a firsttab 33 of the flexible printed circuit board 18.

The printed circuit board 4B comprises a second pad 50 in a second padregion on the first board surface 8, the second pad region having asecond board normal. The electrical assembly 102 comprises secondelectrically conductive material 52 connecting the second pad 50 and thesecond terminal of the antenna. In another exemplary electricalassembly, the flexible printed circuit board comprises a first andsecond antenna, wherein the second pad is connected to a first terminalof the second antenna. The second terminal normal and the second boardnormal forms a second angle in the range from 30° to 150°. The printedcircuit board 4B has a second indentation 54 in a second edge part ofthe printed circuit board 4B, the second indentation 54 accommodating atleast a part of the second terminal arranged in a second tab 56 of theflexible printed circuit board. The first electrical component 16 iselectrically connected to the second pad 50 by a second conductor, e.g.via a balun element (not shown).

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-section of the electrical assembly of FIG. 5taken along dotted line A. The flexible printed circuit board 18comprises an antenna 24 having a first terminal 26 in a first terminalregion on a first flexfilm surface 20 of the flexible printed circuitboard 18. The first terminal region has a first terminal normal 32. Thefirst electrically conductive material 30 connects the first pad 12 andthe first terminal 26 such that the first terminal normal 32 and thefirst board normal 14 forms a first angle α1 of 90°±5°. The antenna 24has a second terminal 58 in a second terminal region on the firstflexfilm surface 20 of the flexible printed circuit board 18. The secondterminal region has a second terminal normal 64. The second electricallyconductive material 52 connects the second pad 50 and the secondterminal 58 such that the second terminal normal 64 and the second boardnormal 62 forms a second angle α2 of 90°±5°.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary hearing aid 1. The illustrated hearing aid 1comprises a housing 100 accommodating an electrical assembly asdescribed herein.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary flexible printed circuit board 18. Theflexible printed circuit board 18 has a first flexfilm surface 20 and asecond flexfilm surface (not shown). During assembly of a hearing aid,the flexible printed circuit board 18 is folded to fit inside thehearing aid housing. The flexible printed circuit board 18 comprises anantenna 24 having a first terminal 26 in a first terminal region 28arranged in a first tab 33 of the flexible printed circuit board 18. Thefirst tab 33 is configured to be at least partly accomodated in a firstindentation of a printed circuit board. The antenna 24 has a secondterminal 58 in a second terminal region 60 arranged in a second tab 56of the flexible printed circuit board 18. The second tab 56 isconfigured to be at least partly accomodated in a second indentation ofa printed circuit board. The flexible printed circuit board 18 is asheet having a thickness of about 500 μm.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary flexible printed circuit board 18A. Theflexible printed circuit board 18A may be implemented as the flexibleprinted circuit board 18 in the electrical assembly 102. During assemblyof a hearing aid, the flexible printed circuit board 18A is folded tofit inside the hearing aid housing. The flexible printed circuit board18A has a first flexfilm surface 20 and a second flexfilm surface (notshown). The flexible printed circuit board 18A comprises a first antenna24 having a first terminal 26 in a first terminal region 28 arranged ina first tab 33 of the flexible printed circuit board 18. The first tab33 is configured to be at least partly accomodated in a firstindentation of a printed circuit board. The flexible printed circuitboard 18A comprises a second antenna 66 having a first terminal 68 in asecond terminal region 60 arranged in a second tab 56 of the flexibleprinted circuit board 18. The second tab 56 is configured to be at leastpartly accomodated in a second indentation of a printed circuit board.The flexible printed circuit board 18A is a sheet having a thickness ofabout 500 μm.

Although particular features have been shown and described, it will beunderstood that they are not intended to limit the claimed invention,and it will be made obvious to those skilled in the art that variouschanges and modifications may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the claimed invention. The specification and drawings are,accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictivesense. The claimed invention is intended to cover all alternatives,modifications and equivalents.

LIST OF REFERENCES

-   -   1 hearing aid    -   2, 2A, 102 electrical assembly    -   4, 4A, 4B printed circuit board    -   6 edge    -   8 first board surface    -   10 second board surface    -   12 first pad    -   14 first board normal    -   16 first electrical component    -   17 second electrical component    -   17A third electrical component    -   18 flexible printed circuit board    -   20 first flexfilm surface    -   22 second flexfilm surface    -   24 (first) antenna    -   26 first terminal    -   28 first terminal region    -   30 first electrically conductive material    -   31 first indentation    -   32 first terminal normal    -   33 first tab of flexible printed circuit board    -   34 first conductor    -   50 second pad    -   52 second electrically conductive material    -   54 second indentation    -   56 second tab of flexible printed circuit board    -   58 second terminal    -   60 second terminal region    -   62 second board normal    -   64 second terminal normal    -   66 second antenna    -   68 first terminal of second antenna    -   α1 first angle    -   α2 second angle

The invention claimed is:
 1. A hearing aid having an electricalassembly, the electrical assembly comprising: a printed circuit boardhaving a first board surface and a second board surface, the printedcircuit board having a first pad in a first pad region on the firstboard surface, the first pad region having a first board normal; aflexible printed circuit board comprising an antenna, the antenna havinga first terminal in a first terminal region on a first flexfilm surfaceof the flexible printed circuit board, the first terminal region havinga first terminal normal; a transceiver mounted to the printed circuitboard; and first electrically conductive material connecting the printedcircuit board and the flexible printed circuit board, wherein the firstelectrically conductive material connects the first pad and the firstterminal, and wherein the first terminal normal and the first boardnormal forms a first angle that is anywhere from 30° to 150°; whereinthe first terminal of the antenna electrically couples to the first padof the printed circuit board, the first terminal of the antenna beingdifferent from the first electrically conductive material that connectsthe first pad and the first terminal.
 2. The hearing aid according toclaim 1, wherein the first angle is anywhere from 80° to 100°.
 3. Thehearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board hasa first indentation in a first edge part of the printed circuit board,the first indentation accommodating at least a part of the firstterminal while the first terminal is oriented at a greater-than-zeroangle with respect to a major plane of the printed circuit board.
 4. Thehearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board hasan edge with an edge part and wherein the first electrically conductivematerial connects at least a part of the first flexfilm surface to theedge part of the printed circuit board.
 5. The hearing aid according toclaim 1, wherein the antenna extends from and edge of the printedcircuit board in a first direction that is away from the first boardsurface of the printed circuit board.
 6. The hearing aid according toclaim 5, wherein the antenna also extends from the edge of the printedcircuit board in a second direction that is away from the second boardsurface of the printed circuit board.
 7. The hearing aid according toclaim 6, wherein the second board surface is opposite from the firstboard surface.
 8. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein theantenna extends along an edge of the printed circuit board.
 9. A hearingaid having an electrical assembly, the electrical assembly comprising: aprinted circuit board having a first board surface and a second boardsurface, the printed circuit board having a first pad in a first padregion on the first board surface, the first pad region having a firstboard normal; a flexible printed circuit board comprising an antenna,the antenna having a first terminal in a first terminal region on afirst flexfilm surface of the flexible printed circuit board, the firstterminal region having a first terminal normal; and first electricallyconductive material connecting the printed circuit board and theflexible printed circuit board, wherein the first electricallyconductive material connects the first pad and the first terminal, andwherein the first terminal normal and the first board normal forms afirst angle that is anywhere from 30° to 150°; wherein the firstterminal of the antenna electrically couples to the first pad of theprinted circuit board, the first terminal of the antenna being differentfrom the first electrically conductive material that connects the firstpad and the first terminal; wherein the printed circuit board comprisesa second pad in a second pad region on the first board surface or on thesecond board surface, the second pad region having a second boardnormal; wherein the flexible printed circuit board has a second terminalin a second terminal region on the first flexfilm surface or on a secondflexfilm surface of the flexible printed circuit board, the secondterminal region having a second terminal normal; and wherein theelectrical assembly comprises second electrically conductive materialconnecting the second pad and the second terminal, and wherein thesecond terminal normal and the second board normal forms a second anglethat is anywhere from 30° to 150°.
 10. The hearing aid according toclaim 9, wherein the printed circuit board has a first indentation in afirst edge part of the printed circuit board, the first indentationaccommodating at least a part of the first terminal that is associatedwith the flexible printed circuit board while the first terminal isoriented at a greater-than-zero angle with respect to a major plane ofthe printed circuit board; and wherein the printed circuit board has asecond indentation in a second edge part of the printed circuit board,the second indentation accommodating at least a part of the secondterminal that is associated with the flexible printed circuit board. 11.The hearing aid according to claim 10, wherein the printed circuit boardhas a third indentation in a third edge part of the printed circuitboard, the third indentation accommodating at least a part of a thirdterminal of the flexible printed circuit board while the third terminalis oriented at a greater-than-zero angle with respect to a major planeof the printed circuit board.
 12. The hearing aid according to claim 9,wherein the printed circuit board comprises a third pad in a third padregion on the first board surface or on the second board surface, thethird pad region having a third board normal; wherein the flexibleprinted circuit board has a third terminal in a third terminal region onthe first flexfilm surface or on the second flexfilm surface, the thirdterminal region having a third terminal normal; and wherein theelectrical assembly comprises third electrically conducting materialconnecting the third pad of the printed circuit board and the thirdterminal of the flexible printed circuit board, and wherein the thirdterminal normal and the third board normal forms a third angle that isanywhere from 30° to 150°.
 13. A hearing aid having an electricalassembly, the electrical assembly comprising: a printed circuit boardhaving a first board surface and a second board surface, the printedcircuit board having a first pad in a first pad region on the firstboard surface, the first pad region having a first board normal; aflexible printed circuit board comprising an antenna, the antenna havinga first terminal in a first terminal region on a first flexfilm surfaceof the flexible printed circuit board, the first terminal region havinga first terminal normal; and first electrically conductive materialconnecting the printed circuit board and the flexible printed circuitboard, wherein the first electrically conductive material connects thefirst pad and the first terminal, and wherein the first terminal normaland the first board normal forms a first angle that is anywhere from 30°to 150°; wherein the first terminal of the antenna electrically couplesto the first pad of the printed circuit board, the first terminal of theantenna being different form the first electrically conductive materialthat connects the first pad and the first terminal; and wherein adistance from a surface of a part of the flexible printed circuit boardwhere the antenna is located, to an edge of the printed circuit board,is less than a thickness of the printed circuit board.
 14. A hearing aidhaving an electrical assembly, the electrical assembly comprising: aprinted circuit board having a first board surface and a second boardsurface, the printed circuit board having a first pad in a first padregion on the first board surface, the first pad region having a firstboard normal; a flexible printed circuit board comprising an antenna,the antenna having a first terminal in a first terminal region on afirst flexfilm surface of the flexible printed circuit board, the firstterminal region having a first terminal normal; a transceiver mounted onthe printed circuit board; and first electrically conductive materialconnecting the printed circuit board and the flexible printed circuitboard, wherein the first electrically conductive material connects thefirst pad and the first terminal, and wherein the first terminal normaland the first board normal forms a first angle that is anywhere from 30°to 150°; wherein a portion of the antenna is facing an edge of theprinted circuit board.
 15. The hearing aid according to claim 14,wherein the first terminal of the antenna is different from the firstelectrically conductive material that connects the first pad and thefirst terminal.
 16. The hearing aid according to claim 14, wherein thefirst terminal of the antenna is electrically coupled to the first padof the printed circuit board.
 17. The hearing aid according to claim 14,wherein a minor part of the antenna extends from the edge of the printedcircuit board in a first direction that is away from the first boardsurface of the printed circuit board.
 18. The hearing aid according toclaim 17, wherein the minor part of the antenna comprises the firstterminal of the antenna.
 19. The hearing aid according to claim 17,wherein a minor part of the antenna extends from the edge of the printedcircuit board in a second direction that is away from the first boardsurface of the printed circuit board.
 20. The hearing aid according toclaim 14, wherein the second board surface is opposite from the firstboard surface.
 21. The hearing aid according to claim 14, wherein thefirst angle is anywhere from 80° to 100°.
 22. The hearing aid accordingto claim 14, wherein the printed circuit board has a first indentationin a first edge part of the printed circuit board, the first indentationaccommodating at least a part of the first terminal while the firstterminal is oriented at a greater-than-zero angle with respect to amajor plane of the printed circuit board.
 23. The hearing aid accordingto claim 14, wherein both (1) the printed circuit board and (2) theportion of the antenna that is facing the edge of the printed circuitboard, lie in a same plane.
 24. The hearing aid according to claim 14,wherein the portions of the antenna that is facing the edge of theprinted circuit board is spaced apart from the edge of the printedcircuit board.
 25. A hearing aid having an electrical assembly, theelectrical assembly comprising: a printed circuit board having a firstboard surface and a second board surface, the printed circuit boardhaving a first pad in a first pad region on the first board surface, thefirst pad region having a first board normal; a flexible printed circuitboard comprising an antenna, the antenna having a first terminal in afirst terminal region on a first flexfilm surface of the flexibleprinted circuit board, the first terminal region having a first terminalnormal; and first electrically conductive material connecting theprinted circuit board and the flexible printed circuit board, whereinthe first electrically conductive material connects the first pad andthe first terminal, and wherein the first terminal normal and the firstboard normal forms a first angle that is anywhere from 30° to 150°;wherein a portion of the antenna is facing an edge of the printedcircuit board; wherein the edge of the printed circuit board has an edgepart and wherein the first electrically conductive material connects atleast a part of the first flexfilm surface to the edge part of theprinted circuit board.
 26. A hearing aid having an electrical assembly,the electrical assembly comprising: a printed circuit board having afirst board surface and a second board surface, the printed circuitboard having a first pad in a first pad region on the first boardsurface, the first pad region having a first board normal; a flexibleprinted circuit board comprising an antenna, the antenna having a firstterminal in a first terminal region on a first flexfilm surface of theflexible printed circuit board, the first terminal region having a firstterminal normal; and first electrically conductive material connectingthe printed circuit board and the flexible printed circuit board,wherein the first electrically conductive material connects the firstpad and the first terminal, and wherein the first terminal normal andthe first board normal forms a first angle that is anywhere from 30° to150°; wherein a portion of the antenna is facing an edge of the printedcircuit board; wherein the printed circuit board comprises a second padin a second pad region on the first board surface or on the second boardsurface, the second pad region having a second board normal; wherein theflexible printed circuit board has a second terminal in a secondterminal region on the first flexfilm surface or on a second flexfilmsurface of the flexible printed circuit board, the second terminalregion having a second terminal normal; and wherein the electricalassembly comprises second electrically conductive material connectingthe second pad and the second terminal, and wherein the second terminalnormal and the second board normal forms a second angle that is anywherefrom 30° to 150°.
 27. The hearing aid according to claim 26, wherein theprinted circuit board has a first indentation in a first edge part ofthe printed circuit board, the first indentation accommodating at leasta part of the first terminal that is associated with the flexibleprinted circuit board while the first terminal is oriented at agreater-than-zero angle with respect to a major plane of the printedcircuit board; and wherein the printed circuit board has a secondindentation in a second edge part of the printed circuit board, thesecond indentation accommodating at least a part of the second terminalthat is associated with the flexible printed circuit board.
 28. Thehearing aid according to claim 26, wherein the printed circuit boardcomprises a third pad in a third pad region on the first board surfaceor on the second board surface, the third pad region having a thirdboard normal; wherein the flexible printed circuit board has a thirdterminal in a third terminal region on the first flexfilm surface or onthe second flexfilm surface, the third terminal region having a thirdterminal normal; and wherein the electrical assembly comprises thirdelectrically conducting material connecting the third pad of the printedcircuit board and the third terminal of the flexible printed circuitboard, and wherein the third terminal normal and the third board normalforms a third angle that is anywhere from 30° to 150°.
 29. The hearingaid according to claim 27, wherein the printed circuit board has a thirdindentation in a third edge part of the printed circuit board, the thirdindentation accommodating at least a part of a third terminal of theflexible printed circuit board while the third terminal is oriented at agreater-than-zero angle with respect to a major plane of the printedcircuit board.
 30. A hearing aid having an electrical assembly, theelectrical assembly comprising: a printed circuit board having a firstboard surface and a second board surface, the printed circuit boardhaving a first pad in a first pad region on the first board surface, thefirst pad region having a first board normal; a flexible printed circuitboard comprising an antenna, the antenna having a first terminal in afirst terminal region on a first flexfilm surface of the flexibleprinted circuit board, the first terminal region having a first terminalnormal; and first electrically conductive material connecting theprinted circuit board and the flexible printed circuit board, whereinthe first electrically conductive material connects the first pad andthe first terminal, and wherein the first terminal normal and the firstboard normal forms a first angle that is anywhere from 30° to 150°;wherein a portion of the antenna is facing an edge of the printedcircuit board; wherein a distance from (1) a surface of a part of theflexible printed circuit board where the antenna is located, to (2) theedge of the printed circuit board, is less than a thickness of theprinted circuit board.